“We Met Him Once, Not as Politicians, But as Troubled Traders”
Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has officially responded to resurfacing allegations linking him to the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, clarifying that his only interaction with the regime was as a concerned businessman — not a political appointee.
In a statement posted across his verified social media platforms on Monday, July 8, Obi published an official letter revealing he was selected, alongside other prominent importers, to serve on a taskforce for port decongestion during the 1990s. The appointment, he explained, was strictly solution-oriented and focused on salvaging Nigeria’s collapsing import and trade systems — not a political engagement with the Abacha regime.
“We were traders, not politicians,” Obi emphasized.
“Our encounter with Abacha was born out of concern for our businesses and the struggling economy. We sought solutions, not appointments.”
According to Obi, the port system at the time had become grossly inefficient, causing critical delays in the clearing of goods, crippling businesses, and exposing traders to unbearable demurrage and economic loss. The taskforce was established to address these specific issues, and Obi says his inclusion was based solely on his reputation as a major importer at the time.
Obi further stated that the single encounter he and other business leaders had with Abacha was centered around advocating for reforms in port operations. “It was not a political meeting. I had never met Abacha before that, and never had any interaction with his regime beyond that one occasion,” he wrote.
This clarification comes amidst a wave of renewed social media attacks attempting to paint Obi as a former Abacha loyalist. In response, he reaffirmed his longstanding commitment to public transparency and civic responsibility.
“This evidence may not stop those pushing falsehoods, but I owe Nigerians transparency.
I’ve never hidden my past. Every action I’ve taken, including this one, was guided by civic responsibility—not political ambition.”
Obi also criticized political actors and commentators for manipulating facts to drive propaganda, warning that such attempts would ultimately fail under the weight of documented truth. He stated that the released letter is now public “for posterity,” a demonstration of his integrity and willingness to stand on record.
The development has sparked widespread online discussions, with many commending Obi for responding with documentation rather than rhetoric. Political observers note that this move further cements his image as one of Nigeria’s few politicians consistently committed to truth, accountability, and documented transparency.
